A Couple Magic Key Questions

[MidwayManiac]

Hi! I have a couple questions regarding the Magic Key program and haven’t had any luck contacting a Cast Member. Was hoping someone here may be able to answer my questions.
1. Can someone explain how monthly payments work if you purchase a pass now but don’t use it for the first time for a few months? Specifically, if I purchased it today but don’t use it until February 2022, the renewal date would be February 2023, correct? But then how do the monthly payments work? Would the last 4 months or so be “freebies” (I highly doubt it) or do they just separate the price over 16 months as opposed to 12?
2. Are they currently giving Magic Key holders discounts on Disney-owned hotels?

Thanks so much!

[ClownLoach]

Hi! I have a couple questions regarding the Magic Key program and haven’t had any luck contacting a Cast Member. Was hoping someone here may be able to answer my questions.
1. Can someone explain how monthly payments work if you purchase a pass now but don’t use it for the first time for a few months? Specifically, if I purchased it today but don’t use it until February 2022, the renewal date would be February 2023, correct? But then how do the monthly payments work? Would the last 4 months or so be “freebies” (I highly doubt it) or do they just separate the price over 16 months as opposed to 12?
2. Are they currently giving Magic Key holders discounts on Disney-owned hotels?

Thanks so much!

Your payments start within one business day of signing up. The start date of the pass is whenever you first use it. So if you wait 3 months then all you have done is "Pre paid" for the last 3 months of the pass.

[MidwayManiac]

Your payments start within one business day of signing up. The start date of the pass is whenever you first use it. So if you wait 3 months then all you have done is "Pre paid" for the last 3 months of the pass.

Ok, that makes sense. Thanks!

[Thumperrrrr]

Disney always gets your money NOW! for everything. Just think of it that way.

[Goldendreamer]

I signed up for a Dream Key last week as a trial run from previously being a Sig+. They charged me 180 the day of and then 100 for the Sept. monthly payment two days later. You don’t have to go right away, but I feel like it’s becoming a game of roulette if you have both the desire and ability to reserve a weekend day with your pass. I would encourage you to check the Magic Key website for info on hotel discounts. Another word of caution that I keep hearing - having a hotel reservation does NOT guarantee you park entry for those days. You need to book your reservations separately (either with the key or with a regular ticket if it’s blacked out).

[MidwayManiac]

Thanks for the info! Everything is so complicated these days!

[Captain Quantum]

Am I correct in remembering that upon the renewal of an annual pass (probably Magic Key too), there is no grace period until 1st use? Meaning your start date for perpetuity is decided at the time you 1st enter with your new membership way back when. Every year there after it starts at the same date regardless if your next use that year is 3 months later.

[Thumperrrrr]

Question if you all could help me out.

What if a reservation is booked for same day. What’s the cancellation policy on this?

For example, today is available, and tomorrow is closed. What if I book for today, but then tomorrow opens up and I want to change today for tomorrow. What is my penalty for cancelling today, having made the reservation for today - today?

[Captain Andy]

Question if you all could help me out.

What if a reservation is booked for same day. What’s the cancellation policy on this?

For example, today is available, and tomorrow is closed. What if I book for today, but then tomorrow opens up and I want to change today for tomorrow. What is my penalty for cancelling today, having made the reservation for today - today?

You will get that cancellation marked on your account.

However, from what I've heard, the penalties actually don't mean much. They are still letting people reserve after they've gotten the six penalties.

When I had Flex, I called Disney to check on my membership, and they DO track those penalties, but I guess they are no longer locking accounts.

[Thumperrrrr]

You will get that cancellation marked on your account.

However, from what I've heard, the penalties actually don't mean much. They are still letting people reserve after they've gotten the six penalties.

When I had Flex, I called Disney to check on my membership, and they DO track those penalties, but I guess they are no longer locking accounts.

Interesting, thanks for the info

I’d hate for there to be a gray area on this. I’m a rule follower, so I won’t be taking chances with these penalties. Like many others, I would need to save those penalties for medical emergencies that are a very real possibility. Can’t believe I’d be docked for cancelling the morning of due to a serious issue, but this is Disney — heartless and thoughtless

I missed the window for today anyways.. Looks like I’ve missed every window for the rest of 2021

[sailor310]

It's there on the info page. As I remember, if you miss three reservations, they'll block you for 30 days.

Looked it up:

*The ability of a Magic Key holder to make and hold park reservations will be impacted by the "no show" policy. Magic Key holders who are a "no show" for 3 reservations in a 90-day window will be unable to make new park reservations for 30 days. Existing park reservations at that time will not be cancelled. The 30-day period begins the day after the third "no show," and will continue even if the pass is upgraded to another pass during that time. A Magic Key holder who enters the designated park any time before closing on the day of the reservation is not considered a "no show." If the reservation is for both parks, only one park needs to be entered to avoid being a "no show." Magic Key holders who timely cancel a reservation are also not considered a "no show." Cancellation of a reservation must be done by 11:59 PM PT on the day before the reserved date. Rules and policies are subject to change without notice.

[Captain Andy]

It's there on the info page. As I remember, if you miss three reservations, they'll block you for 30 days.

Looked it up:

*The ability of a Magic Key holder to make and hold park reservations will be impacted by the "no show" policy. Magic Key holders who are a "no show" for 3 reservations in a 90-day window will be unable to make new park reservations for 30 days. Existing park reservations at that time will not be cancelled. The 30-day period begins the day after the third "no show," and will continue even if the pass is upgraded to another pass during that time. A Magic Key holder who enters the designated park any time before closing on the day of the reservation is not considered a "no show." If the reservation is for both parks, only one park needs to be entered to avoid being a "no show." Magic Key holders who timely cancel a reservation are also not considered a "no show." Cancellation of a reservation must be done by 11:59 PM PT on the day before the reserved date. Rules and policies are subject to change without notice.

The issue with this (depending on how you look at it) is that now (allegedly) accounts are not being locked out for those 30 days. In other words... the fine print is not necessarily all that fine anymore.

Still, in Thumperrrrr's case, they are paying for the option to have six penalties, so unless they are up to five penalties, I wouldn't sweat. And if this would have been their sixth, I still wouldn't sweat, because it appears Disney is giving Dream Key holders a bit of leeway when it comes to no-shows.

[Ryan120420]

Question if you all could help me out.

What if a reservation is booked for same day. What’s the cancellation policy on this?

For example, today is available, and tomorrow is closed. What if I book for today, but then tomorrow opens up and I want to change today for tomorrow. What is my penalty for cancelling today, having made the reservation for today - today?

Disney doesn't give you the ability to cancel a reservation day of. So if you make a same day reservation, you have to use that reservation or accept the "strike" on your account.

Assuming you have reached your reservation allotment, you can reserve a new date the moment you enter a theme park OR by canceling an existing reservation.